Protocol tips for low AMH?

[Greenfig123]

Hi everyone, just finished my 2nd cycle (just turned 43, low AMH, ok FSH, base follicle count of about five total).

2nd cycle: Had a 5 day fresh transfer of a ‘good’ rated embryo, sadly without success. 6 follicles, 5 eggs, 5 fertilised, one blastocyst, on long protocol.

1st cycle: no transfer, 5 follicles, 4 eggs, 2 fertilised, 0 blast, on short protocol.

Trying to do some research to help me decide on the next protocol with the doctor. Read that omnitrope can help with blastocyst numbers in women with low AMH. Has anyone any other tips?

We decided against genetic testing due to low embryo numbers.

[CaffeineKate]

hello,

I also have a low blastocyst rate. Plenty of eggs collected but by day 5, there is normally only one good blastocyst. On my first egg collection on short protocol I had 12 eggs collected and only one blast. Second egg collection after long protocol I got 13 eggs collected and one day 5 blast and two day 6 although we’ve been advised not to use those and do another egg collection, Neither of the fresh transfers worked. Just having a month break and gearing up to start again and we’ve been advised to stick with the long protocol. We’ve also been advised to have growth hormone like you but also steroids and melatonin so you could ask about those, these have been shown to help egg quality. Sorry I don’t know the names yet as we don’t have the perscription yet! DHEA is another thing I’ve read about but my consultant didn’t seem too interested in that. Also going to try frozen transfer next time just to give the body a chance to recover from stims. I hope that’s vaguely helpful. Obviously no outcome yet to share! My AMH was 7ish last time I had it checked before the 2nd cycle.

[Greenfig123 in reply to CaffeineKate]

Thanks so much! I will mention those things to the doctor. I am currently taking DHEA (as well as omega and CoQ10 in addition to fertility vitamin).

None of the doctors I mentioned DHEA to said that evidence supported it. However I was told I could safety take it if I wanted to, without worrying about blood tests to check dhea levels (hard to get). I take 50mg daily and I bought it online from Biovea . After transfer, I take only the vitamin and omega, as apparently some supplements can interfere with embryo development

[CaffeineKate in reply to Greenfig123]

Thank you, that’s really helpful to know! X

[Kilk22 in reply to Greenfig123]

I would be very much inclined to test dhea levels before supplementing , if your levels are already normal or a little above normal and you take 50mg a day, it could have a very negative affect with egg quality.

[Greenfig123 in reply to Kilk22]

I agree - I did really try to get these blood tests, but it’s apparently complicated due to a backlog in all nhs blood tests, the fact that my clinic won’t/can’t test dhea, and GP won’t even know how to interpret the results when they can test.

The consultant said 50mg will be as effective as 75mg, so he would go for a lower dose. He said don’t worry about testing , as he would only be worried if I was taking higher doses like 100s of mg a day.

[Kilk22 in reply to Greenfig123]

that’s a bit strange your gp not been able to do it for that reason. If you get the blood test done with ur gp , it’s easy find out if your levels are normal, low or too high and tbh your gp SHOULD know a high level or low level. Totally up to you but I wouldn’t supplement without knowing your level. I was only on 25mg a day and mine shot up very high. Everyone is different so you just can’t tell. My fertility clinic was able to tell me to stop and also my gp told me the same when my levels came back. Maybe try getting it done privately x

[Greenfig123 in reply to Kilk22]

Oh, that is quite alarming. Will look into private testing. I did think about lowering my dose to 25mg anyway as I read in ‘it starts with the egg’ that this amount might be sufficient. Thanks for this info!

[Kilk22 in reply to Greenfig123]

no problem and like I said everyone is different so you may well be fine on 50mg but just better I find to know and have peace of mind 😉 hope everything works out for you 🙏🏼

[Londonlady2024]

Hi, I had my baby at the age of 43 and my due date was a few days before my 44th birthday. The planned delivery was for 36 weeks due to my history of a tragic stillbirth at full-term (39+5).

I have had 4 fresh transfers and they all failed. The first one was NHS funded and I was the standard long protocol. I got 11 eggs and one early blastocyst. The rest of my egg collections were short protocols.

I've only ever had one blastocyst graded which was a good quality embryo (3AB). The rest were early blastocysts.

I would suggest a frozen transfer because it worked for me even though I had empty follicles due to overstimulation and I had risk (egg over matured). In the end, I had 3 embryos frozen at pro nuclei stage (day one immediately after fertilisation as I had 3) and I said I only wanted day 3 transfer as I did not want to risk to day 5. All 3 survived the thaw but by day 3 one didn't survive so ended up with 2 which they happily transferred.

My double transfer ended up with my little precious rainbow baby boy who is now 6 weeks.

I would strongly advise you to take supplements if you are not already. I'm not sure what worked but I know for my frozen transfer I started taking probiotics 2 months before my transfer. I also walked to improve blood flow as I rarely got any exercise as I was working from home. I restricted my calories based on my height and weight (I'm less than 5 foot).

I had a 4.5 month gap between my fresh transfer and frozen transfer. Frozen transfers are less harsh on your body. I had a hyCosy to check my uterus got the all clear.

You may msg me directly if you wish.

Wishing you success x

[BBHH1]

I’d recommend some supplements: CoQ10, DHEA, açaí berry, Vit D as needed

High dose stimulation, the pure FSH can go high but watch not to use to high dose of FSH+LH

Early retrieval with Trigger when leading follicle 16-18mm

ICSI

Fresh transfer of a few embryos day 3, they grow better in the body then Petri dish

there is research to support all those points. Best

[IVFat40]

Hello hun,In my experience diet and nutrition made a really big difference (when doing IVF at 40), I saw a fertility nutritionist and she put me on a fertility diet (essentially, although with more details, high protein, and no/low sugar, caffeine, wheat, dairy, alcohol, with lots of fruit and veg etc). Plus supplements from the book 'it starts with the egg' by Rebecca Fett. I'd also say the quality of the sperm makes a big difference, so definitely worth your partner looking at their nutrition and supplements.

Wishing you all the very best of luck.

[Itisajourney]

thanks for sharing! How long were you having the diet before starting with a new cycle?